National Republican., 1887-01-24
ART IN OUR HOMES,


Girls ToRether-The Art Department
"Openine" at the Paiais Royal To-day.
Doubtless there was refinement Of taste
In the homes Of our fathers, but was IL not
rather the exception than the ruler One
need not be old TO remember when treas
urea ornament Of the mantelpiece was
white China dog with red spots and yellow
tail. And who forgets the engravings
the subjects Of which must be craven on
the minds Of thousands Of usP What man
or woman but does not remember with
feeling OF horror his childhood's days when
Sunday was spent In the best room which,
being opened but once week, possessed
damp, unwholesome atmosphere that the
uncomfortable chairs and dreary literature
only aggravated Such were the homes Of
the middle class. Visit the homes Of such
to-day and We find time has brought In
creased wealth Of mind as well as Of purse.
Our tastes have been cultivated so that we
instinctively admire the beautiful. Thus
IL is that the China dog of our fathers is no
more, and that in its place we see
delicate China ware. The most beautiful
Royal today. Mr. Lsner has secured the
agency for the sale of the Rudolstadt
art porcelain, manufactured in Thur.
ingin, Germany, and being sent
direct to Washington, the goods are
placed on the market at the lowest prices
possible. The collection is fine one, aud
as the "opening" Of the art department
las 1t is termed) occurs to-day, ladies will
have an opportunity OF critlcislng. Vases
will be shown in all manners Of queer shapes
and decorated with flowers OF China of
form and color SO true to nature as to be
perfectly marvellous. IL is seldom that
such works Of art are to be obtained at such
moderate prices. Marked only 50 20 is a
vase apparently made entirely Of forget
me,nots and roses. a vase Tor iiowers repre-
sented basket around the handle Of which
bunch Of lilacs were entwlned the price
marked on II was s.. 40. So true TO nature
is the head and bust Of negro made Of
terra quite that one instinctively
smooths the tassel OF the hat,
and is q little surprised to find 1t
immovable. The rich colors OF the costume
and the swarthy face are in happy contrast.
The companion piece is a negro woman.
The pair are marked, think, $3.50. A fac
simile Of valuable bronze, now In the I'm
perial Museum, Berlin, represents cavalry
boot with a German legend inscribed
thereon. Not much to describe, but artis
tic In appearance; 1t was marked $225.
The art department of the Palais Royal, of
course, is not confined to the Rudolstadt
art porcelain goods. There is q fine display
One particularly handsome vase Is Of blue
ground, with beading Of white and amber
color mountings; S6G9 is the price, but the
vase is very large. A peachblow vase,
with amber stand, is only Csc, but 1t is
small. The larger sizes, Of course, are
more expensive. The glass termed ..satin"
| glass is well named. A card receiver, in
Shape Of a leaf, was beautifully and wonder
fully made; 1t was $5.9S. Then there is
Trent ware, Japanese creamers, and bronze
| ornaments. An antique vase marked $l.9S,
with appropriate surroundings, would look
worth hundred times as much. Japanese
Kaga vases OF quaint shap,s and
pretty colors are 35c. Some
very massive and ornamental lamps will be
shown. One representing q rams head Is
unique. II looks as II made OF copper. The
new style Of globe and glass help the rich ef-
feet; 50 80 is the price. "Rococo" is the name
| given the most artistic frames for photo.
| graphs yet introduced. They are very light
| and are OF brass, enameled in colors, and
studded with limitations Of precious stones.
| The effect is brilliant and the appearance
disregarded, and the new ones defy descrip-
ton. Prices range from 0Sc to S5.0S each.
Clocks with the cathedral gong and half
| hour strike are to be offered for S5.25. The
appearance Of these clocks would lead one
| to think them worth much more. That they
are not inferior In construction is shown by
them being warranted. An hour may be
pleasantly spent at the Palais Royal to-day,
for the new department is to be opened In
good style, and the class Of goods on exhi-
bition justify the name-Art Department.
| DRAPING AS AN ART.
| The abundant Imagination with the
artistic eye and skillful fingers of woman
conceived and practiced the draping OF
furniture, and with an effect that tends To
make our modern homes far different than
the chrome plastered walls Of our fathers.
In response to the demand for goods
adapted for draping, manufactures have
sprung up. entirely devoted TO their pro
! duction. An opportunity to examine the
latest introduced novelties is offered to.
day, as such goods will be shown In
connection with the art department "open-
ing" at the Palais Royal. Mandalay Por-
there's 3lxll yards will be offered for SO. 40
pair. When 1t is remembered the usual
price for such goods is nearly double that
price 1t is evident inducements are being
made to tempt you to the "openiug."
Chenille portieres, with Turkish border,
are to be $6,0S pair. Perhaps the richest
effects are shown In Persian goods; oriental
in design and eolors, and OF material well
adapted for draping, they are found In the
homes OF the truly artistic. Persian covers,
with heavily fringed borders, will be shown
| Tor S3.4S, and scarfs "a yards long Will Dc
marked S2.6S; the smaller ones for draping
chairs and picture frames are shown FROM
80 cents to 50 apiece. The French velour
table covers are very rich in appearance
they are $3.50. Some with plush centers and
deep Turkoman borders seem very cheap FOL
$l.9S. A beautiful design Of lambrequin is
only 6S cents yard. Japanese silk gauze
scarfs, with tassels Of silk, are 81 .68. These
are the latest novelty. The colors are ex
quisite and the material specially adapted
for draping.
Amber plush pincushions are new; they
are 9S cents. The satin cushions at 80 cent,
are prettily shaped; some trimmed with lace
at $l.25, will attract the eye, as will tht
satin covered toilet bottles and cushions
handsomely hand embroidered. These cos
$2.6S the set. The Palais Royal manufac
lures such goods on the premises. so 1t ma,
be assumed that moderate prices could bt
quoted for superior goods, and that such II
the fact would seem to be demonstrated by
the fact of the entire side OF one Of the
stores being devoted, to the oriental ant
fancy goods department. What with th,
special sale of silks and the ''opening" o.
the art department this should be a busy
day at the Palais Royal.